In this document

FAQ about FEEE funding

When is the child eligible?

A child is eligible at the start of the school term after their 3rd birthday (including those children eligible for the extended entitlement), or if eligible, the start of term following their 2nd birthday.

How many hours can a parent / carer claim?

Parents of eligible 2 year olds can claim a maximumj of 15 hours FEEE per week. As a provider you can only provide this if you hold a good or better Ofsted rating.

This will depend on the circmstances of the parent / carer. All children aged 3 or 4 can claim up to 15 hours FEEE per week for up to 38 weeks a year (term time). If a parent wishes to take less hours a week and stretch their hours over more than 38 weeks this is known as a stretched offer. This is something you can implement if you wish but not something we insist you support.

Some parents may be eligible for the 3 or 4 year old extended entitlement allowing them up to 30 hours of FEEE per week. You do not need to register separately to do this, only make your offer clear to parents / carers.

A parent has spoken to me about a stretched offer – what is this?

A stretched offer is when a parent wishes to take less than 15 hours a week and use some of their entitlement in the holiday periods. A parent / carer cannot insist that a provider offers this opportunity, but if you can accommodated a parents / carers request and it will benefit the child we would definitely recommend you doing so. If you would like some advice on how to implement / administer a stretched offer please contact us on 0116 305 5788 or email: FEEE@leics.gov.uk.

When can a child access the funding?

Free hours must be accessed between 6am and 8pm and can be accessed Monday to Sunday. A maximum of 10 hours can be claimed for in 1 day.

Can funding be accessed at more than one provider?

Funding can be spread over a maximum of 2 providers in any one day.

Making a claim

What documents do I need before I make a claim?

A copy of each child’s birth certificate / passport or medical card and a signed/dated Parental Statement of Undertaking (PSOU) which clearly states how many hours the parent/carer wants you to claim for. A template is available on the FEEE website.

Where a parent is eligible for the 2 year old funding or the extended entitlement you will also need to ensure you collect the relevant reference numbers, and in the case of the extended entitlement/EYPP the parent's NI number.

Do I send the copy of birth certificate and PSOU to the Local Authority?

No – please keep the copies securely, in line with your data protection policy.

How do I claim?

Each term you will access a headcount form which asks you to detail all eligible children on roll and attending your provision prior to the headcount date.

You must ensure you submit your headcount form prior to the deadline date in order to receive your funding.Where children join your setting or change their hours after you have submitted the headcount form you should complete a mid-term adjustment.

What are the minimum/maximum hours a child can claim for?

A maximum of 10 hours can be claimed for in one day. There is no minimum claim.

Can I claim for a relative?

Early education funding cannot be claimed by, or spent on, childminders providing childcare for their own child or a related child, by blood or marriage.

Payment Information

How much funding will I get paid?

The total funding you receive for 3 and 4 year old funding will be made up of two parts:

a base rate,

the funding received through the deprivation supplement.

This is paid as a lump sum and will reflect the amount paid per child, per hour based on the child’s address.

The exact amount to be paid will be shown in your provider agreement.

How is FEEE paid?

An initial payment at the beginning or prior to the start of the term and a final payment just after half term.

The initial payment is an advance payment based on the eligible children claimed for in the previous term. We pay providers a percentage of the total amount of funding which may be claimed for based on this information.

Once the headcount data is collected, the final payment is the total hours claimed for minus the initial payment. Mid-term adjustments are then submitted and this adjustment is then made along with the following terms initial payment.

In your first term as a newly FEEE registered provider you will receive your first payment on the final payment date.

If a child moves settings, do I need to transfer the funding?

Funding that needs to be transferred will be administered by the Early Learning and Childcare Service. This means all changes to the headcount questionnaire must be added to the mid-term adjustment questionnaire. Funding should not be transferred between providers themselves.

What happens if a child who is claiming FEEE leaves the setting without honouring their notice period?

Funding always follows the child. If parents/carer(s) do not honour their notice period this is a matter concerning the provider and the parent, and the provider should invoice the parents accordingly.

I’ve claimed for a child but haven’t been paid the correct hours?

This is normally due to a child previously claiming at another setting and not being taken off as a leaver on the headcount or mid-term adjustments. Please contact the helpline on 0116 305 5788 for further advice.

If a child is absent will I still get paid?

Children should be in attendance for all of the funded time claimed for unless there is a valid reason such as illness or holiday. Providers are expected to maintain accurate records of each child’s attendance (including start and leaving times) and ensure they actively engage with parents/carers where attendance is sporadic or consistently lower than the FEEE claimed, amending their claims when relevant.

If you are aware that a child at your setting is likely to take extended leave or has difficulty in attending regularly, contact your Monitoring Support Officer for advice on 0116 305 5788.

What is a mid-term adjustment payment?

Once the headcount questionnaire has been submitted you will be given the opportunity via a mid-term adjustment to advise us of any changes including new starters, leavers and children that have changed their number of funded hours.

We must be informed of all changes to your headcount. Payments will be made at the same time as the following terms initial payment.

How do I know if I have been paid?

A BACS Remittance advice is sent out by the treasurer’s department, usually via email and a final payment breakdown will be released via AnyComms+ after the final payment is made.

Headcount Questionnaire

I have missed the headcount deadline but need to submit some claims – what should I do?

You will need to submit a mid-term adjustment when it is released.

What do I do with the mid-term adjustment questionnaire?

The mid-term adjustment informs the service of any changes that have taken place since you submitted your headcount questionnaire. This may include:

New starters

Leavers

Children reducing their hours

Children increasing their hours

If you have no changes you do not need to return this.

2 Year Old Funding

Can I offer the 2 year old funding if I am newly registered and do not have an Ofsted grade?

Yes, however once you are inspected if you do not receive a grade of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ you will be removed from the list of providers able to offer the 2 year old funding and funding may be withdrawn as soon as practicable. This will depend on the outcome of the Ofsted inspection.

What if my Ofsted grade changes? Can I continue to offer 2 year old funded places?

If you do not receive an Ofsted grade of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ you will be removed from the list of providers offering the 2 year old funding. Any children already accessing the funding at your provision will continue to be funded however you will not be in a position to take any new children until your Ofsted grade once again reflects good or outstanding

Removal of Funding

I have recently received an Inadequate Ofsted grade – will my funding be removed?

The local authority will write to you outlining their position in relation to the funding. It is important that Leicestershire children access high quality provision so we will, if necessary remove the funding as soon as is practicable. In all cases providers are expected to engage and work with Officers of the 0-5 Learning Service. For further information please refer to our Removal of FEEE funding policy.

What if there is a change to my provision?

Depending on what the change is, you may need to give us more details. If any of the following changes have or are due to take place you should complete a change of circumstance form which can be found under FEEE Guidance and Policies.

Change in ownership

Change in bank details

Change in Leader / Manager

Change to the organisational status

Change to the premises

Change in committee representative

Closure / withdrawal from the FEEE scheme.

If there are other changes due to take place i.e. increasing your numbers / age range / extending your provision / high turnover of staff etc. you should contact our duty desk on 0116 305 7136 for further support.

What if I have an Ofsted grade of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’?

The local authority does not have a duty to provide targeted support to those who are deemed good or better by Ofsted, there is a huge amount of information and resources available on our website: or you can contact our duty desk on 0116 305 7136 during office hours. Alternatively you can email us on childcare@leics.gov.uk.